Stretching apparatus for treating arm and leg fractures



Dec. 1 1925- 1,564,106

0. PATZSCHKE STRETCHING APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARM AND LEG FRACTURES Filed Feb. '7, 1925 fg. I 69.2

NIT/vanes Patented Dec. 1, 1925..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO PATZSCHKE, OF SONDERSHAUSEN, GERMANY.

' Application filed February 7, 1925. Serial No. 7,602.

To all co 10m it may concern:

Be it known that I, Or'ro Pir'rzsorri-ln, a Geri'nan citizen, and residing at Sondersliausen, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Stretching Apparatus for Treating Arm and Leg Fractures (for which I have filed application for patent in Germany on May 5th, 1924. Patent No. 405,687), of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved stretching apparatus for treating arm and leg fractures, comprising a supporting board adapted to be detachahly fastened laterally of a bedstead and means on said board for stretching the injured arm or leg, said board being adapted to be adjusted to any position of height and to an inclined position respectively.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the improved apparatus: Fig. 1 is a side view, Fig. 2, a rear view, Fig. 3 a front view, and Fig. 4 a plan view, of the same.

The injured leg (or arm) 1, for treating the same, must generally be located sideways in the direction of the leg pointed to by arrow 2 (Fig. 4), so that the width of the bedstead does not suffice for supporting the leg. The apparatus comprises there fore a supporting-board 3, which at its obliquely cut face is fastened by means of belts 1- engaging in slots 5 in said board to either of the lateral frame members of the bedstead, at an angle thereto as shown in Fig. l, the fastenings at 1 being the only ones to take up the tension.

To properly adjust said supporting board 3 to the exact height of the lateral frame member (3 of the bedstead, any suitable means may be provided. In the example illustrated, three perpendicular rows of holes 8, 9 and 10 are provided in an upright wall 11 for a reception therein of screws 12 and 13 carrying said supportingboard 3 by means of two hinges 14 and a stay 15 respectively, which latter may depend from said board in inclined position as shown by full lines in Fig. 1. By placing said screws 12 and 13 in one or the other superposed hole of said rows of holes in the upright wall 11, the supporting-board can be adjusted to different positions of height, while furthermore the hinges 14 permit of placing the board in an inclined position.

The stay 15 can, instead of being fastened to the wall 11 by means of the screw 13, be placed in perpendicular position with its free end upon the floor, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, in which case it must be telescopic to suit different positions of height of the supporting-board 3.

The upright wall 11 is portable and fitted with a carrying handle 16.

For stretching the injured leg 1, a pulling cord 17 is fastened to its bandage and led over pulleys 18 and 19 in the direction of arrows 20 and at its freely depending end loaded by a weight 21; one of said pulleys, 19, being mounted on top of the upright wall 11.

lVhat I claim, is;

1. A stretching apparatus for treating arm. and leg fractures, comprising a supporting-board adapted to be detachably fastened laterally of a bedstead, and means on said board for stretching the injured armor leg. x

2. In an apparatus as specified in claim 1: means to adjust said board to any position of height.

3. In an apparatus as specified in claim 1 means to adjust said board to an inclined position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 35 my hand.

OTTO PATZ'SCHKE. 

